In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Sygnus has launched its Hurricane Relief and Rebuild Initiative, committing US$100,000 (over J$16 million) toward a broader goal of raising US$375,000 (J$60 million) to support recovery efforts across Jamaica’s most affected communities.

The initiative, led by Sygnus and supported by regional and international partners, aims to restore key sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. 

Designed to move beyond short-term relief, the initiative will strategically direct 30 per cent of funds toward immediate relief efforts, including food, clean water, solar lighting, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and agricultural inputs, while 70 per cent will go toward rebuilding and resilience projects across the aforementioned key sectors.

Berisford Grey, President and CEO of Sygnus Capital, said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that rebuilding after a disaster must go hand in hand with resilience and sustainability. “The damage left by Hurricane Melissa has tested the strength of our communities, but it has also reminded us of our collective power to rebuild better,” Grey said. “This initiative is about more than restoring what was lost. It’s about creating systems that will endure, powering schools and hospitals with renewable energy, revitalising agriculture with modern tools, and ensuring that our families and communities not only recover but also thrive, building a stronger, more resilient foundation.” 

Adding significant regional support to the initiative, Bahamas Striping Group of Companies has become the first partner to contribute, donating J$16 million and pledging to provide 5,000 school bags valued at US$20,000 for students affected by the hurricane. The donation is part of the company’s commitment to education and its long-standing belief in giving back to the Caribbean community that helped build its success.

Atario Mitchell, President of Bahamas Striping Group of Companies, said the decision to stand with Jamaica was deeply personal and symbolic for his team, given the bond between both nations and the company’s history of support from Jamaican investors such as Sygnus. 

“From the very beginning, Jamaicans believed in us; they invested in our growth and in our dream,” Mitchell said. “When we saw the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, standing aside was not an option. This contribution is our way of saying thank you and standing in solidarity. Whether Bahamian or Jamaican, we are one people, united by shared hope and a vision for a stronger Caribbean.”

Sygnus’ relief initiative is being structured to ensure transparency and accountability and will leverage other partnerships with international agencies and corporate donors specialising in emergency logistics, housing, education, healthcare, and agricultural recovery.

Sygnus will also collaborate with the Ministries of Education and Agriculture to ensure interventions are aligned with national recovery priorities. This effort highlights the importance of collaborative regional support in the face of natural disasters.